Students' information literacy level at health faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Information literacy has been defined as a person's skill in identifying his/her information need and capability in organizing, evaluating and using information effectively. Information literacy provides a basis for lifelong learning and it is essential for all academic levels and all learning environments. This was a descriptive-analytical study that its data was collected via cross-sectional method. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content analysis. The research population consisted of 179 students studying at the Faculty of Health of Tehran Medical Sciences University. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical tests were used for data analysis in SPSS statistical software. Information literacy of the studied population was estimated as “relatively good". The general information literacy score of students under 25 years old estimated significantly lower mean than the other two groups (p≤0.04). The “identifying information" component showed the highest (3.88 ± 0.48) and “information management" component showed the lowest (3.62 ± 0.7) mean score. Proper use of information resources in the health sector requires that the students of medical sciences fields master the information literacy skills due to the rapid development of knowledge in health and medical sciences fields. The scope of learning goes beyond the educational environment via information literacy skills. Equipping students with information literacy has a positive effect on the educational and research structure and, consequently, on the executive and management body of the country.